The Cherethites are a group mentioned several times in the Old Testament, often in conjunction with the Pelethites. They are primarily recognized as part of King David's elite military forces. The exact origin and identity of the Cherethites have been the subject of scholarly debate, but they are generally considered to be a Philistine group or a subgroup thereof, possibly hailing from the island of Crete.

Biblical References:

1. David's Bodyguard:
The Cherethites are first mentioned in the context of King David's reign. They, along with the Pelethites, served as David's personal bodyguard. In 2 Samuel 8:18, it is recorded, "Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priests." This indicates their significant role in the royal administration and military structure.

2. Loyalty to David:
The Cherethites demonstrated loyalty to David during the rebellion of Absalom. In 2 Samuel 15:18, as David fled Jerusalem, "all his men marched past him, along with all the Kerethites and Pelethites and all the six hundred Gittites who had come with him from Gath." Their presence underscores their importance and loyalty to the king during times of crisis.

3. Role in Solomon's Ascension:
The Cherethites also played a role in the transition of power to Solomon. In 1 Kings 1:38, when Solomon was anointed king, "Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Kerethites, and the Pelethites went down and had Solomon ride on King David’s mule, and they took him to Gihon." This highlights their continued service and influence in the royal court.

4. Execution of Justice:
The Cherethites were involved in executing justice during David's reign. In 2 Samuel 20:23, it is noted, "Joab was over Israel’s entire army; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites." This suggests their role in maintaining order and enforcing the king's decrees.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The Cherethites are often associated with the Philistines, a group known for their conflicts with the Israelites. The term "Cherethites" is sometimes thought to be derived from "Crete," suggesting a possible origin from the Aegean region. This connection is supported by Ezekiel 25:16, where God declares judgment against the Philistines, including the Cherethites: "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant along the coast.'"

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of the Cherethites in the biblical narrative highlights the diverse composition of David's kingdom and the integration of foreign groups into Israel's national life. Their loyalty to David and participation in key events underscore the theme of God's sovereignty in using various peoples to fulfill His purposes for Israel. The Cherethites' presence in the biblical account serves as a reminder of the complex interactions between Israel and its neighbors and the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan through the Davidic line.Cherethites

(executioners) and of King David. (2 Samuel 8:18; 15:18; 20:7,23; 1 Kings 1:38,44; 1 Chronicles 18:17) It is plain that these royal guards were employed as executioners., (2 Kings 11:4) and as couriers, (1 Kings 14:27) But it has been conjectured that they may have been foreign mercenaries, and therefore probably Philistines, of which name Pelethites may be only another form.

CHERETHITES

ker'-e-thits (kerethim, ha-kerethi; Chelethi "executioners," "life-guardsmen"): A people in South Palestine whose territory bordered upon that of Judah (1 Samuel 30:14). In 1 Samuel 30:16 this land is apparently identical with that of the Philistines. In Ezekiel 25:16 the Philistines and the Cherethites are threatened together; while in Zep 2:5 the Cherethites are evidently the dwellers in "the land of the Philistines," "the inhabitants of the seacoast." Septuagint in both Ezekiel and Zephaniah renders the name "Cretans." The translators may have been "guided only by the sound." But Zeus Cretagenes in Gaza suggests a connection with the island of Crete. See , however, CAPHTOR. It may be taken as certain that the Cherethites were a Philistine clan. In conjunction with the Pelethites they are frequently named as forming the guard of David (2 Samuel 8:18, etc.). It was the custom of many ancient monarchs to have a guard of foreign mercenaries.

W. Ewing

3774. Kerethi -- the foreign bodyguard of King David
... the foreign bodyguard of King David. Transliteration: Kerethi Phonetic Spelling:
(ker-ay-thee') Short Definition: Cherethites. ... Cherethims, Cherethites. ...
/hebrew/3774.htm - 6k

3746. Kari -- bodyguard of Jehoash
... captains, Cherethites. Perhaps an abridged plural of kar in the sense of leader
(of the flock); a life-guardsman -- captains, Cherethites (from the margin). ...
/hebrew/3746.htm - 6k

David Appointing Solomon
... So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and
the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david appointing solomon.htm

Appendix 2 Extracts from the Babylon Talmud
... And so it is said (2 Samuel 20:23), And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, was over the
Cherethites, and over the Pelethites.' And why was their name called ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/appendix 2 extracts from the.htm

A Loyal Vow
... Mostly foreigners, I say, for these hard words 'Cherethites and Pelethites' most
probably mean inhabitants of the island of Crete, and Philistines. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a loyal vow.htm

Making the Best of Trouble
... We marched into the South Country of the Cherethites and into that which belongs
to Judah and into the South Country of Caleb, and Ziklag we destroyed by fire ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/making the best of trouble.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... At the time of his coronation, Solomon was followed by an army of soldiers (the
"Cherethites and the Pelethites") (1 Kings 1:38), just as our returning King ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... In an episode in the life of David (1 Samuel 30:14), there is mention of the "south
of the Cherethites," which some have made to mean Cretans"that is to ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... The Cherethites and Pelethites were soldiers, so that Solomon was followed by an
army at the time of his coronation (I Kings 1:33; cp. Rev.19:11). ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

Canaan
... Zephaniah calls them "the nation of the Cherethites" or Kretans, and their features,
as represented on the Egyptian monuments, are of a Greek or Aryan type. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Greek Versions as Aids to Biblical Study.
... v.24, 1 Chronicles 14:14). Caphtor, Caphtorim, Kappadokia, Kappadokes, Deuteronomy
2:23, Amos 9:7. Cherethites, krtym, Kretes, Zephaniah 2:5, Ezech. xxv.16. ...
/.../chapter iv the greek versions.htm

Cherethites (11 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHERETHITES. ... See , however, CAPHTOR. It may be
taken as certain that the Cherethites were a Philistine clan. ...
/c/cherethites.htm - 11k

Cher'ethites (10 Occurrences)
Cher'ethites. Cherethites, Cher'ethites. Cherish . Multi-Version Concordance
Cher'ethites (10 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 30:14 We made ...
/c/cher'ethites.htm - 9k

Cherethite (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 30:14 We made a raid on the South of the Cherethites, and on that which
belongs to Judah, and on the South of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire ...
/c/cherethite.htm - 9k

Pelethites (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Mentioned always along with the Cherethites, and
only in the time of David. The word probably means "runners ...
/p/pelethites.htm - 10k

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 30:14 We made a raid on the South of the Cherethites, and on that which
belongs to Judah, and on the South of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire ...
/k/kerethites.htm - 9k

Pelethite (7 Occurrences)
... Pelethite (7 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over
the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers. ...
/p/pelethite.htm - 8k

Pel'ethites (7 Occurrences)
... Pel'ethites (7 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over
the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers. ...
/p/pel'ethites.htm - 8k

Jehoi'ada (50 Occurrences)
... Jehoi'ada (50 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over
the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers. ...
/j/jehoi'ada.htm - 21k

Benai'ah (43 Occurrences)
... Benai'ah (43 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 8:18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over
the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers. ...
/b/benai'ah.htm - 18k

Benaiah (44 Occurrences)
... Built up by Jehovah. (1.) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest (1 Chronicles 27:5).
He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites (2 ...
/b/benaiah.htm - 26k

Who was Benaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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